Lewitt Connect 6 Interview Review / Walkthrough / Explained

Software Walkthrough: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbxzApR0_gg

Today I walkthrough, explain, test and review the new Lewitt audio interface which has DSP processing, I compare it to the Focusrite 18i20, I test the SM7b on this interface, play instruments on the D.I. inputs and walk through all the processing.

Note 1: The GUI in the software is not choppy like that in use. It is only choppy like that in the demo because my computer is old and struggles with screen recording.

Note 2: The mobile connection does not have an automatic mix minus, in order to achieve this you would need to send mix A or B to the mobile output, and then shut off the mobile input audio for that mix. This will eliminate any loopback to the mobile device.

Buy the Lewitt Connect 6 (Affiliate Links)
Amazon: n/a
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/connect6

Buy the Lewitt LCT440 (Affiliate)
Amazon: https://geni.us/lct440
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/lct440

Buy the Shure SM7b (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/shuresm7b
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/sm7b

00:00 - Intro / Pricing / Disclosure 
00:55 - Signal Chain for Testing
01:13 - What’s in the Box
01:44 - Build Quality
02:29 - Walkthrough of Features
03:58 - Specifications
04:59 - Shure SM7b Mic Test (No Cloudlifter or Fethead)
06:00 - Focusrite Scarlett vs. Lewitt Connect 6
07:00 - Preamp Gain Noise Test
07:38 - Line In Test
10:04 - Latency Test
10:43 - D.I. Instrument Input Test
11:34 - USB-C Mobile Connection Test
12:45 - 3.5mm Line Out Usecase
13:27 - 3.5mm Aux In Test
13:58 - Software / DSP Processing Walkthrough
20:32 - Pros & Cons
23:33 - Recommendation
25:30 - Outro

300,000 Subscribers

I was starting to think this wouldn’t happen because things have cooled off so much over the last year, but we hit 300,000 subscribers around 9:30PM on 4 NOV 2022.

Prior milestones
100,000 - 2019 APR 9 - Four Years to Gain 100k
150,000 - 2020 APR 8 - One Year to Gain 50k
200,000 - 2020 AUG 22 - 4 Months to Gain 50k
250,000 - 2021 APR 21 - 8 Months to Gain 50k

The reason I’m breaking down past milestones is to show the fluctuation in growth over the years. It took a long time to get growth kickstarted, then in 2020 there was explosive growth and growth has slowed back down. Still making videos and still rocking and a rolling and trying to have fun with it. If you are reading this, thank you so much for the support.

I know this seems self congratulatory, and it kind of is, but I find these posts interesting to go back and see to track these moments.

Shure SM81 Mic Review / Test (vs. KM184, MK012, M5, sE8, U87 Ai)

Today I review another industry standard small diaphragm condenser microphone, the Shure SM81. This microphone offers a crazy flat frequency response that sounds natural and realistic. It offers a tolerable self noise for an SDC at 16dBa and has 2 very usable high pass filters and a -10dB pad. The pad does have pops and crackles when engaging, the HPF dial/switch is a bit hard to maneuver, and it has a low sensitivity for a condenser. However, if you're looking for a neutral SDC studio workhorse, this thing seems like it would fit the bill well.

Buy the Shure SM81(Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/sm81
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/sm81

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:19 - Setup
00:34 - What’s in the Box
01:06 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:38 - Specifications
02:12 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:31 - Plosive Test
02:47 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:07 - Background Noise Test 
03:26 - Untreated Room Test
03:42 - Overhead Boom & Under Boom
04:27 - Shock Rejection Test
04:46 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:58 - Windscreen Tone Test
05:25 - Pad Test
05:50 - High Pass Filter Test
06:26 - Intro to Comparison
06:55 - Rode M5 Comparison
07:20 - Sennheiser E614 Comparison
07:47 - sE Electronics sE8 Comparison
08:22 - Oktava MK012 Comparison
08:49 - Beyerdynamic MC930 Comparison
09:23 - Neumann KM184 Comparison
10:01 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
10:38 - Music Test
12:07 - Pros & Cons
13:38 - Overall Thoughts
17:16 - Recommendation
18:38 - Outro

BSP-325: YouTube Ads Fail, Fake It Til You Make It, & More

On episode 325 of the BSP I discuss YouTube advertising failing and what this may mean for us going forward, my recommendations for Halloween music and movies, the Electro Voice RE520 handheld condenser mic, comments being bad for content creators, faking it until you make it like I did, and how good is good enough.

Subscribe to the full audio podcast at http://www.bandrewsays.com

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Electro Voice RE520: https://geni.us/re520
Yellowtek M!ka: https://www.yellowtec.com/mika.html
Lewitt Connect 6: https://imp.i114863.net/connect6
Sennheiser HD650: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:35 -  It Is Halloween
02:59 - YouTube Advertising Fail!

• Article about Alphabet and YouTube: https://seekingalpha.com/news/3895488-alphabet-shares-slump-nearly-7-as-wall-street-shows-displeasure-with-results

05:59 - Halloween Recommendations
09:34 - Electro Voice RE520 / Lewitt Connect 6
11:59 - WYHTS: Comments & Reviews Eat Away at Creators
14:37 - WYHTS: Stop Striving for Perfect
18:39 - WYHTS: Faking it Until You Make It!
23:19 - Ask Bandrew
25:04 - Video Submission 1
33:02 - How Far is Too Far, and How Good is Good Enough?
38:04 - Conclusion Time

Alkaline Trio - This Could Be Love (Cover) (Shure SM81)

GEAR I USE (Affiliate Links):
Ernie Ball Music Man Sting Ray: https://imp.i114863.net/musicmanrs
Revv D20: https://imp.i114863.net/revvd20
Friedman BE-OD: https://imp.i114863.net/beod
Camera: https://geni.us/c90d
Lens 24mm: https://geni.us/can24
Lens 50mm: https://geni.us/can50
Lens Macro: https://geni.us/can100
Microphone: https://geni.us/sm81
Headphones: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases

Shure SM35 XLR Headset Mic Review / Test

Today I start my dive into head worn microphones that you see on stages for presenters when they don't have a mic in front of their face. This is the Shure SM35 which is an electret condenser mic and it does well with background noise rejection but suffers from a high self noise and a low sensitivity. It does not aggressively roll off all the bass like some headset mics do though.

Buy the Shure SM35 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/sm35xlr
Sweetwater: n/a

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:26 - Setup
00:55 - What’s in the Box
01:17 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
02:12 - Specifications
02:42 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:59 - Plosive Test
03:18 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
03:35 - Background Noise Test 
03:53 - Untreated Room Test
04:11  - Handling Noise Rejection
04:26 - Intro to Comparison
04:51 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:24 - Beyerdynamic MMX300 Headset Comparison
05:57 - Audio Technica BPHS2 Headset Comparison
06:33 - Shure SM81 Comparison
07:05 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
07:37 - Pros & Cons
10:32 - Overall Thoughts
11:35 - Recommendation
14:00 - Outro

BSP-324: Abandoning Perfection, On Being a Basic B****

On episode 324 of the BSP I discuss why I advocate abandoning the pursuit of perfection as a content creator, proof that I am practicing what I preach, and the joys of being a basic b***h.

Subscribe to the full audio podcast at http://www.bandrewsays.com

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Shure SM81: https://geni.us/sm81
Some Desktop Tripod: N/A
Lewitt Connect 6: N/A
Sennheiser HD650: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:24 - Ranting
01:04 - Abandon the Pursuit of Perfection
11:42 - The Joys of Being a Basic B***h

• Sleadford Mods Song: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IT09DGuXwYQ

26:40 - Shure SM81
27:50 - Conclusion

Behringer XM8500 Mic Review / Test

Today I review one of the best deals in audio, the Behringer XM8500 which is a budget microphone that goes for $25. It's certainly not the greatest sounding microphones but it functions, and it's certainly not the worst. The proximity effect is exaggerated, the top end isn't smooth and it suffers from handling noise and plosive issues, but it works.

Buy the Behringer XM8500 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/xm8500
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/xm8500

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:24 - Setup
00:43 - What’s in the Box
01:03 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:40 - Specifications
01:57 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:17 - Plosive Test
02:27 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:54 - Background Noise Test 
03:17 - Untreated Room Test
03:32 - Shock Rejection Test
03:49 - Handling Noise Rejection
04:03 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:17 - Cup the Mic Test
04:39 - Intro to Comparison
05:09 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison
05:34 - Mackie EM89 Comparison
05:54 - Shure SM58 Comparison
06:22 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
06:43 - Rode Podmic Comparison
07:08 - Audio Technica AT2040 Comparison
07:32 - Elgato Wave DX Comparison
07:55 - Lewitt MTP550DM Comparison
08:19 - Shure SM7b Comparison
08:51 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:09 - Music Test
10:24 - Pros & Cons
11:25 - Overall Thoughts
14:04 - Recommendation
15:45 - Outro

BSP-323: YouTube Handles, Not Everyone Can Be a Full Time YouTuber, and More

On episode 323 of the BSP I discuss a youtube handles coming out, distance micing with a behringer XM8500, unplugging from the internet, my desire for a fender stratocaster, Content creation being a fun hobby, the benefit of being a small creator, not eveyone being cutout for fulltime content creation and a whole lot more.

Gear Used This Episode (Affiliate Links):
Behringer XM8500: https://geni.us/xm8500
Some Desktop Tripod: N/A
Lewitt Connect 6: N/A
Sennheiser HD650: https://geni.us/sennhd650

As an affiliate I earn from qualifying purchases. 

Ask Questions: https://www.askbandrew.com
Merch: https://www.podcastage.com/store
Discord: http://www.podcastage.com/discord

00:00 - Intro
00:37 - YouTube Handles
04:32 - Distance Micing a Behringer XM8500
05:37 - Unplug From the Internet
07:47 - I Want a Fender Stratocaster
14:12 - WYHTS: YouTube's Experiment was Wrong!
17:27 - WYHTS: Content Creation is a Fun Hobby
19:42 - WYHTS: Being a Small Creator has a MASSIVE Benefit
25:37 - WYHTS: YouTube and TikTok are Completely Different Platforms
28:27 - WYHTS: Not Everyone is Cut Out to be a Fulltime YouTuber
32:07 - WYHTS: Teachers Using a Mic for Class
33:27 - WYHTS: Watch Youtube at 144p!
35:12 - WYHTS: What is a YouTube View?
36:57 - Ask Bandrew
37:57 - Voice Submission 1
39:02 - Is an AT2035 a Good Upgrade from a Blue Snowball?
44:27  - Conclusion

Elgato Wave DX Mic Review / Test

Today I review a streamer microphone from Elgato, the Wave DX. This mic offers a very bright and clear sound without much to support it in the lower frequencies. It does do a fairly good job at plosive rejection, but it suffers quite a bit from shocks and isn't able to reject those. If you're looking for a very bright sounding mic then this may be the right pick for you.

Buy the Elgato Wave DX (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: n/a
Sweetwater: n/a

Buy the Focusrite 2i2 (3rd Gen)- Same Performance as 18i20 (Affiliate Link)
Amazon: https://geni.us/2i32rd
Sweetwater: https://imp.i114863.net/k6g4d

NOTE (FULL DISCLOSURE): As an associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. For more info check my FAQ page links below.

RECORDING SETTINGS:
Interface: Focusrite 18i20 2nd Gen
Gain: ~4:00
Boosted in Post: 9dB
Bit-Depth: 24-bit
Sample Rate: 48kHz

00:00 - Intro / Price / Disclaimer 
00:26 - Setup
00:46 - What’s in the Box
01:19 - Build Quality / Walkthrough
01:48 - Specifications
02:03 - Polar Pattern Test (Tone / Rotation)
02:22 - Plosive Test
02:32 - Distance Test / Proximity Effect Test
02:54 - Background Noise Test 
03:14 - Untreated Room Test
03:35 - Shock Rejection Test
03:53 - Mic Resonance Tap Test
04:06 - Intro to Comparison
04:29 - Behringer XM8500 Comparison
04:48 - Mackie EM89 Comparison
05:11 - Shure SM58 Comparison
05:31 - sE Electronics V7 Comparison
05:51 - Rode Podmic Comparison
06:10 - Audio Technica AT2040 Comparison
06:41 - Lewitt MTP550 DM Comparison
07:14 - Shure MV7x Comparison
07:33 - Rode Procaster Comparison
07:59 - Shure SM7b Comparison
08:29 - Electro Voice RE20 Comparison
08:59 - Neumann U87 Ai Comparison
09:34 - Music Test
10:40 - Pros & Cons
12:23 - Overall Thoughts & Opinions
14:52 - Recommendation
16:45 - Outro